[rockfish]

what are some good patterns and techniques to catch cutts in streams cause thay are in streams that the chums have already gone thru and if that stream goes to a lake then you got it made. thanks Ben

 

[cal257]

Ben,

The sea-run cuts can be very fun to catch. One of the tricks is to fish them on a cloudy day. I have found that they can be very very spooky on those bright days (one out of every 30 days over here). Most people will catch them on streamers fished with a 4 to 6 weight rod. However, many times you can catch them all day on dry flies if you find them in groups.

One thing that you might want to look for is chum spawning. A lot of times you will find the cuts resting behind the chum eating the dead eggs that escape the red. In cases like these you should try to match the egg as best you can with a glo-bug or a bead. Chum spawn is bigger than pink and silver spawn. You want to use a bead or glo-bug that is about 8 mm. Usally a more creamy white color with a hint of orange.

Best of luck

Cal

 

[Vic_sea]

How long their freshwater residence continues?
Can I fish for them in winter? Cutts of course
Thanks
Vic
Seattle

 

[Preston]

Sea-run cutthroat have the most variable life histories of any of the anadromous salmonids. March is probably the peak of their spawning season, but they may spawn anywhere from December through May. Most of those currently in the rivers will have entered the smaller tributaries where they will spawn by now. This is, of course, a large generalization, I've caught bright, fresh-run cutthroat while steelheading in February. Some fish enter freshwater as early as July while some don't enter until much later, so there is considerable overlap, some having finished spawning and returned to saltwater while others have not yet left the salt. Although there is almost no evidence that they ever spend more that one year in saltwater you can almost always find a few there (they are catch-and-release in all marine areas). Since cutthroat are small stream spawners and most of the smaller streams are closed during the winter, the late summer and fall are probably the best time to look for them in the rivers. My favorite sea-run cutthroat fly is Mike Kinney's Reversed Spider in a variety of colors (black and white, oddly enough, seems to be one of the most consistent) fished on a floating line.

 

[Guest]

I only know of one local small stream that is open all winter. It is Pilchuck creek. Not the river. I've caught cutts out of it up to 18". I've never fished it in the winter time except for winter Steelheading. I think the best area is from I-5 up stream. It is a small stream with lots of brush around it. But it is easy to wade. After a rain it is the first one clearing up. Jim S. :TT